Daily summary of the economy in the Czech Republic: the stock market, housing prices, vineyard acreage, UniCredit, Brookfield Asset Management, PPF Group and the EU-US agreement (24 February 2026)

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Overview of the latest economic events in the Czech Republic

The Czech economy entered the last week of February marked by a slightly positive mood on the financial markets and continued structural changes in the real estate and agricultural sectors. The Prague Stock Exchange strengthened on Monday, with the PX index rising 0.34 per cent to 2,720.91 points. The main drivers were banking titles, especially shares Commercial banks, Erste Group Bank a Moneta Money Bank, which responded to the stable interest rate environment and expectations of a gradual recovery in lending activity. In contrast, the energy company CEZ weakened, which analysts link to the development of electricity prices on European markets.

The exchange rate of the Czech koruna against the euro and the US dollar recorded only minimal movements during the day, confirming the relatively stable macroeconomic environment and the low volatility of regional currencies.

The real estate market remains an important topic. According to the ČSOB Housing Index, property prices will reach new historical highs in 2025. Flats rose by 13.6 per cent year-on-year, family houses by 9.5 per cent and building land by 7.2 per cent. Price growth continues to be supported by limited supply, high construction costs and the return of investors to the market. Increased activity is recorded, for example, by property developers Central Group a Skanska Residential, which are expanding projects especially in Prague and its surroundings.

At the same time, the agricultural sector is facing a long-term decline in winemaking. The area under vines in the Czech Republic fell by 359 hectares to 16 945 hectares last year, the lowest level since the country joined the European Union. The number of wine growers fell by 446 to a total of 12 242. The trend confirms the consolidation of the market and the increasing economic pressure on smaller producers.

Foreign investment

Financial Group KKR announced the expansion of its European portfolio through a capital injection into data centre-focused technology infrastructure, which is also strengthening the investment pressure on digital projects in Central Europe.

In the banking sector, the consolidation of European assets continues. Group UniCredit completed the acquisition of selected loan portfolios of a regional banking network in Central Europe, which may increase competition in the Czech corporate finance market. At the same time, the investment company Brookfield Asset Management announced the acquisition of logistics properties in Central Europe from a developer CTP, thereby responding to the growing demand for e-commerce-related warehouse capacity.

The technology sector saw another significant transaction when the company SAP has entered into a partnership involving an equity investment in cloud solutions for industrial businesses in Central Europe. Czech companies connected to automotive supply chains gain broader access to the digital transformation of production.

In addition, the investment group PPF Group continues to optimize its telecommunications portfolio and is analyzing potential strategic partnerships for next-generation network infrastructure based on the market.

Significant events outside the Czech Republic with global impact

The global economy has been affected primarily by trade policy between the European Union and the United States. The European Parliament's International Trade Committee has postponed the vote on the EU-US trade agreement indefinitely. The chairman of the committee Bernd Lange said the decision follows a US Supreme Court verdict that some tariffs imposed on foreign partners - including the EU - were illegal.

The postponement of the agreement increases uncertainty in transatlantic trade, which is of crucial importance for the Czech export-oriented industry. Companies linked to the automotive and engineering sectors, such as Skoda Auto or component suppliers, may face a prolonged period of regulatory uncertainty.

At the same time, investors are monitoring developments in global trade relations and monetary policy, as any changes in tariff regimes could affect European industry, energy and technology investment. The Czech economy thus enters the next part of 2026 with a relatively stable domestic situation, but with increasing dependence on geopolitical and trade developments in the world.

gnews.cz - GH

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